NewtNews-151-09Sep97

====================



by Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>.  This is a weekly freeware

newsletter focusing on Newton Technologies and related topics.

NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.  See

the Administrivia at end for details and FAQ info.  NewtNews Web site

is hosted at: <http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/NewtNews/>.



This issue of NewtNews is sponsored in part by:



 + WinSlurp from Rare White Tiger Creations - Available via WWW at:

   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.



 + PowerTrans 3.0.2 - Multilingual Customizable Translator and Vocabulary

   Trainer - Speech on MP2K, eMate - Demo at: <http://www.travel-cs.com>



 + QuickFigure Pro v.3.1 - New version of the spreadsheet solution from

   PelicanWare! - <sales@pelicanware.com> - <http://www.pelicanware.com>



 + PowerMedia presents 'Arcade Game Pack' - Birds With Lances, Rocks

   In Space, Frogs vs. Cars - US$29.95 - <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>



 + PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT - Putting Technology in the Palm of Your Hand!

   800-279-4PDA 219-882-5228 [F]:219-845-0578 <http://www.pdadirect.com>



 + VITAMIN A MENU EDITOR - Stand Alone has released it's custom and caret

   menu editor and creator! - Demo at: <http://www.standalone.com/newton>



 + Brain Wash from Concept Kitchen wipes your screen clean --

   <http://www.conceptkitchen.com/htdocs1/products2.html#brain>



 + Buy a guide to what's on TV for your           C o u c h   F i r e !

   Newton <http://www.tempestprod.com/>



 + X-Port, KwikMenu, NewtPaint, Quicknames Pro, proCALC Ex - Newton 2.0

   solutions - <sales@landware.com> - <http://www.landware.com>



 + RidgeNet - ARA, SLIP, PPP access to the Internet from Ridgecrest, CA.

   <http://owens.ridgecrest.ca.us/RidgeNET/RidgeNETWelcome.html>





Table of Contents

-----------------



 1. Top News

 2. Comments from the Editor

 3. New and Updated Newton Information

 4. New and Updated Newton Technology

 5. Top Print Sources Of Interest

 6. NewtNews Tips and Tricks You Can Use On Your Newton

 7. Dear Newton Developer

 8. Other Handheld Technology News

 9. Other Tidbits of Information

10. Advertising Notes

11. Product and Service Information

12. Edupage, 01Sep97 thru 07Sep97

13. INNOVATION, 11Aug97

14. Administrivia





Top News

--------



** JOBS BRINGS "MAC HELL" TO NEWTON WORLD?!? **



John Markoff wrote a piece for the New York Times (NYT) on 04Sep97 that

suggested that at a recent Apple Board Meeting those in attendance

decided to not let Newton, Inc. spin-off.  There were quotes apparently

from Jobs circulating on 08Sep97 saying the 'bring the Newton back to

Apple rumor was true.'



The Markoff article claims that Apple has plans to refocus all Newton

technology on building eMate like devices and other 'networking computer'

devices.  At the heart of this decision is Steve Jobs, who is apparently

making most of the decisions at Apple.  Jobs who has a history of not

being very positive of the Newton -- he called it a "scribble pad" at

Apple World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) in May 1997 -- has made

Newton developers, 3rd Party vendors, Newton evangelists, and Newton

users very nervous.  Newton, Inc. is surprisingly silent on this news

considering their quick response to the MP2100 rumors.



For more information check out:



    - <http://www.sjmercury.com/news/breaking/docs/081055.htm>

    - <http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/090697apple.html>

    - <http://www.rinzai.com/ni/>

    - <http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/info/090697/info4_1481_noframes.html>

    - <http://www.austin360.com/tech/stories/09sept/06/apple6.htm>



[SDH: If Steve Jobs is going to do with the Newton what he has done to

the Macintosh in the last four weeks, then God help us.  I think that if

all this is 'true,' then you'll find Newton developers leaving the Newton

platform quicker than 'butter melting on a hot bun.'  Jobs has an agenda

which may be as big as his ego at this point.  No doubt his 'vision'

includes heavy lobbying from Oracle's "Network Computer" Ellison, and

could care less about the Newton community we have built here.]



** MICROSOFT OUTLOOK SOLUTION IN THE WORKS **



Gareth Robertson <gnt@netnitco.net> notes that PDA Direct's webpage

<http://www.pdadirect.com> is advertising for a new software product

called 'Outlink' that is suppose to allow Newton devices to sync with

Microsoft's Outlook.  The software is suppose to be due by the end of

Sep'97.  For more information call: 800.279.4732.



[EDITOR: If anyone has any more information about Outlink please let

me know.  Who are the developers?  Where is my beta?!?  Thanks!]



** DIGITAL HAS A NEW STRONG ARM **



A widely circulated press release from Digital has announced the recent

news of a new 200-MHz StrongARM processor.  The PR also includes quotes

from Newton, Inc. COO Sandy Bennett saying the chip makes "Java" easier

to deploy."  This chip is also going to be used in future Windows CE v2.0

savvy devices.  For more information check out:

<http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?97092.wstrong.htm>.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  The New WriteRight Screen Enhancements protect your screen from

  scratches, reduce glare and improve your handwriting recognition by

  simulating the feel of writing on paper. WriteRights are available for

  all Newtons in packs of: 4-for $11.95, 8-for $18.95, and 12-for $24.95.

  Mention NewtNews and receive 10% off our 12-pack. For more information:

  415-929-1002 <Info@ConceptKitchen.com> <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  QuickFigure Pro 3.1 - Spreadsheet for Newton 2.0 or better operating

  systems. Supports 255 x9999 cell worksheets, landscape mode, direct

  cell entry, worksheet linking, delayed recalc, and over 70 functions.

  Includes QF Exchange for Import/Export with Excel from Mac or Windows.

  From PelicanWare at $59.95+S&H (Upgrades $25+S&H). For more info:

  <info@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Comments from the Editor

------------------------



** I'D BE REMISS ... **



I'd be extremely remiss if I didn't dedicate this issue to the memory of

another wonderful human being -- Mother Teresa.  She gave selfishly for

others all of her life, and her passing last week also saddened my heart.

I am the first to admit the similarities between Princess Diana and

Mother Teresa are difficult to pin down, but each of them 'cared' for

others in a very positive and supportive way.  And in the end, both will

create legacies that will insure others will continue in their very noble

efforts.



** SORRY IF MY BEING HUMAN BOTHERED YOU **



Several folks were pretty 'pissed off' that I dedicated last weeks issue

to Princess Diana's memory of 'caring'.  It is a sad state of affairs.

The dedication to Mother Teresa probably won't make them happy either.



All I can say is I am human.  I have feelings.  I don't often pour my

feelings out in NewtNews.  But I am dedicated to NewtNews, and I do my

best to provide excellent technical content, exciting information, and

hopefully I help you map out what is going on not only in the handheld

world but in the technology world in general.  Opinions matter.

Directions matter.  Focus matters.  Life stuff matters.



NewtNews is a passion for me.  If it wasn't, it would not have ever

gotten past its' first year.  I love doing it.  In that love, comes some

feelings every once in a while.  If this offends you, then exit from the

list.  Flaming me does nothing but get me all bent out of shape and

stressful.  Both are something that I definitely can have less of in my

life.



** BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM **



Enough already ... here is the latest issue of NewtNews.  Packed with a

ton of good information, helpful pointers, and some tidbits that should

make your technology journey a little less bumpy.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  From your armchair, find your favorite

  shows using your Newton. Couch Fire is        C o u c h    F i r e !

  a TV  programming  guide that includes

  accurate, weekly updates via email. It combines the feel of a paper guide

  with  the intelligence of a Newton. Couch Fire's custom TV grid, searches

  and reminders mean you won't miss a thing.  <http://www.tempestprod.com/>

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  DON'T TOUCH THAT SCREEN --

  until you protect it with The BARRIER Screen Protector!

    *  Clearly Superior Protection

    *  Chemical, Abrasion and Thermal resistant

    *  Given 9 out of 10 by Newton 2000 Underground

  For more info: <http://www.roadrunnertracks.com> or call: 760-431-5483.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





New and Updated Newton Information

----------------------------------



** CHANCE TO WIN A MP120 **.



Steve Webber <steve@webber.com> reports that WebSmart Internet Services

is running a sweepstakes program and two of the Grand Prizes are MP120s.

There are other prizes available and the drawing will occur on 10Dec97.

For more information check out: <http://www.websmart.net>.



** SINE OF THE TIMES NEWS **



Sine of the Times reports that their CardMEDIA solution is 100%

compatibility with HyperNewt from Foundation Systems.  You can check out

version 1.1 of CardMEDIA via: <http://www.sineware.com/products>.



Sine of the Times is also reportedly in the process of beta testing

a bibliography program called 'CiteCard' for Newton 2.x devices.



** HYPERNEWT NEWS **



Newton Intelligence <http://www.rinzai.com/ni/> had HyperNewt author Adam

Tow from Foundation Systems on their weekly Sunday 5 p.m. EDT chage on

31Aug97.  You can learn more about HyperNewt via: <http://www.tow.com>.



Adam also posted an interesting article to comp.sys.newton.misc recently

outlining "HyperNewt Heap Issues -- 9/4/97".  You should be able to track

down the article using: <http://www.hotbot.com>.



** NS BASIC NEWS **



NS BASIC has reportedly recently experienced some DNS problems with their

ISP.  These problems have been fixed, but if there is a problem in the

future please send email to: George Henne <ghenne@ibm.net>.



George also notes that there is a new comparison piece posted on the NS

BASIC WWW site at: <http://www.nsbasic.com/comparison.html> that outlines

the similarities and differences between NS BASIC and the Newton Tool Kit

(NTK).



** NEWTON RELATED JOB **



Gary Greco <garyr@powermedia.com> reports the PowerMedia has some

openings for those in the Oregon state area experienced with packaging

and shipping software titles.  Other positions could also open up in the

near future.  Send Gary email if you are interested.



** NEWTON USER GROUP NEWS **



Kenneth Wong <kenneth@cybpage.com> reports that the 2nd Singapore Newton

Users Group was held on 07Sep97 at McDonald's Serene Centre.  Send

Kenneth email if you'd like to join the group.



The Stanford Newton User Group meets at 7 pm on the second and fourth

Tuesday of each month; so the next two meetings are 09Sep97 and 23Sep97.

The meetings are held in Palo Alto at the Printer's Inc Bookstore Cafe at

310 California Ave.  For more info: <http://pobox.com/~snug/>.



** UPDATE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AT NEWTONTALK **



Sean O'Shaughnessey <seanos@earthlink.net> reports that NewtonTalk now

has 682 subscribers (as of this writing).  The discussions have been

numerous and very helpful.  A very short list of some of the topics

includes:



    - Using a Newton modem on a business line

    - Infrared printing speeds

    - Connection problems to some ISPs

    - German version of MP2K

    - Battery questions

    - Help with sync

    - Using money management software

    - Eclipses (and other Easter Eggs)

    - Printers

    - Travel tips

    - PT100

    - NetHopper

    - Acoustic modems

    - HyperNewt

    - Various programming questions

    - Keyboard volume



You can learn more from: <http://www.esosoft.com/seano/subscribe.html>.



** MACWAY NEWTON MENTIONS **



Guy Kawasaki's MacWay Evangelist email listserver had a couple of Newton

blurbs recently including:



    - Interesting story entitled "Macs in Schools Are

      Still the Best" has a Newton mention

    - News of Apple's 20th Anniversary Macintosh and

      eMate receiving I.D. Magazine's Annual Design

      Review awards

    - Specials for PageNOW! for Newton:

      <http://www.markspace.com/>

    - News of Concept Kitchen new WriteRight Screen

      Enhancements. <http://www.conceptkitchen.com>

    - DataStorm Information Systems is conducting an

      Internet survey that is giving away MP120 for

      participating. <http://www.dsis.com>

    - RoadRunner Tracks has announced that their new

      Barrier Screen Protector for Newton and eMate are

      being used on Digital Scout's football scouting

      software for the Newton.  For more info:

      <http://www.roadrunnertracks.com> or

      <http://www.digitalscout.com>



For more info about this excellent Apple, Macintosh, Newton, etc. ...

resource check out: <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/>.



** SOME OTHER NEWTON MENTIONS **



Ken Laws' <LAWS@ai.sri.com> THE COMPUTISTS' COMMUNIQUE (TCC) published on

28Aug97 (Vol. 7, No. 56) has a section entitled "Portable Computing" with

several Newton mentions.  For more information about this great

newsletter check out: <http://www.computists.com>.



The issue TidBITS#395/01-Sep-97 <http://www.tidbits.com/> had a quick

Newton mention in an article entitled "Two Heads Better than One?"

written by Adam Engst.



And the following sites were recently updated:



    - Newton 2000 Underground:

      <http://www.skyport.com/nelson/newton/main.shtml>

    - "Top Signs that you are a Newton PowerUser":

      <http://home.hkstar.com/~hknug/poweruser.htm>

    - Newton Central: <http://newton.theonly.com>





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$ NS BASIC  $ The latest implementation of this cool programming tool has an

$   3.6     $ easy to use graphic screen layout function, plus indexed file

$   with    $ communications, graphics and more!  Program directly on Newton

$  Visual   $ or with a PC or Mac.  Create packages in the Extras drawer and

$ Designer! $ much more. 260 pg handbook. Cost is $99+5 S&H for all Newtons.

$           $ <info@nsbasic.com>,  <http://www.nsbasic.com>,  416.264.5999

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  PDA and Handheld Direct, Everything you need for your Newton

   - Apple MessagePad 2000 Standard Model only $949.00 (#22005)

   - Apple MessagePad 2000 Business Bundle only $1099.00 (#22008)

   - MP130 Buy Back Program - Trade in your MP130 for special deals on

     MP2000 or other PDAs - Call for details: 219-882-5228

   - MP2000 Accessories: Rech. Battery $31.95 (#22209) AC Adapter $29.95

     (#22202) MP2K Pen $12.95 (#31227) -- Type II Flash Memory 4MB $98

     (#41070) 8MB $174 (#41073) 10MB $210 (#41074) 16MB $310 (#41077)

   - Revelar Connection Utilities (RCU) for Win and Mac $39.95 (#10071)

  To order 800-279-4PDA or 219-882-5228 or FAX 219-845-0578 [Source #161]

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



New and Updated Newton Technology

---------------------------------



[EDITOR: Sorry for the quick and dirty listing of all the new Newton

software and hardware in this format.  I ran out of my allotted time.]



** MORE NEWTON SAMPLE CODE POSTED **



David Fedor <fedor@newton.apple.com> reports that Newton, Inc.'s WWW site

has some new updated Developer Technical Support (DTS) sample code.  You

can learn more via: <http://www.newton-inc.com/dev/>.



** NEW HARDWARE **



Concept Kitchen <http://www.conceptkitchen.com> has announced the release

of their next generation of WriteRight Screen Enhancements all currently

shipping Newton related devices.



HI-RIZER <http://www.hi-rizer.com/whatsnew.htm> has redesigned their MP2K

car mount.  The new retail price is US$125.  HI-RIZER is also offering

between 08Sep97 and 08Sep97 a host of special deals on their "Xpress for

MP 110-2000" and "HI-RIZER desktop for MP2K" products.  Check out their

WWW for more details.



Ken Alan at Farallon noted on comp.sys.newton.misc that the following

currently shipping Farallon PC Card (#PN595-TP) will support Newton OS

2.1 with Newton Internet Enabler 2.0 when it ships.



** NEW SOFTWARE **



K2 <http://www.skyscape.com/k2> has released their 1997 version of the

King James Bible (KJV97) for Newton that uses K2's ART interface engine.

The list price is US$44.95.



Sine of the Times <http://www.sineware.com/products/CardMedia> is now

shipping their "collection manager" for the Newton called CardMedia 1.0

-- track CDs, books, and inventory items using this Names extension.  The

intro price is US$10 and a 30-day demo is available.



There is a new version of the Macintosh to Newton 'calendar sync' utility

called ClockWork.  Version 10.b2 can be found at on the Centsoft WWW site

at: <http://www.centsoft.com/ClockWork/Files.html>.



SDH EngSoft has released a freeware Date summary utility called

"DateView" v1.0. For more info:

<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/newtpkgs.htm#apps>.



Deep Focus Designs <http://www.deepfocus.com/> is now shipping their

alarm utility called Roosta.



Foundation Systems <http://www.tow.com> is now shipping their

'hierarchical filing system' called HyperNewt 2.0.



SilverWARE <http://www.silverware.com> has announced MoreInfo 5.0 for the

Newton MessagePad.  The new version of the 'popular' contact manager and

scheduling application includes a host of new features by is still

seamlessly integrated with the built-in Newton applications.  The

software should be shipping on 08Sep97 and will retail for under

US$85.00.  Check their WWW site for upgrade information and other offers.



Serg Koren's VisualNewt Software <http://www.VisualNewt.com/> has

announced new versions of: Newt's Paper v0.6 [USENET newsreader]; Newt's

Battery 1.1 [free battery and power status utility]; and Newt's Weather

08/31/97-1 [weather monitoring solution via Internet connections]



JRAd consulting has announced the creation of a 'Transcriptionist

Template Archive' via: <http://jrad.seagull.net/tsTemplates.html>.



Toad Hollow Software <http://www.pobox.com/~toadhollow/> has released the

entire National Football League game schedule via a freeware Dates

utility called "NFL '97".



Richard  Li <clli@dover.cityu.edu.hk> has posted version 1.1 of his

PkgPopper utility via: <http://www.ee.cityu.edu.hk/~clli/pkgpopper.html>.



Scrawl Software <http://www.scrawlsoft.com> is now offering a beta of

PT100 (V0.995b) their premiere NIE savvy Telnet tool and VT100 emulator.



Lars Immisch <lars@ibp.de> has released a new version of SonyMeeting

(Sony VCR programming utility) that now supports Philips VCRs.  You might

expect a name change soon.  Download via:

<http://pobox.com/~immisch/sonymeeting.html>.



DMP Systems <http://www.netacc.net/~dmpsyst> has released Sound To Soup

v1.01 -- a program that will enable you transform a NotePad recording

into a soup and have that sound available for the Newton OS to use in any

place that you can select sounds.  The software posted as 45-day

demoware, and carries a US$10 shareware fee.



Steve Weintraut <stevenw9@aol.com> has released version 2.8 of Zachary's

Wheel -- a "Wheel of Fortune" style game for Newtons.  For more

information: <http://members.aol.com/stevenw9/index.html>.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

   WinSlurp! - Rare White Tiger Creations provides Newton Book publishing

   services and is NOW offering WinSlurp. A windows front-end to Slurpee

   which supports transferring notes back and forth between the Newton

   notepad and the PC desktop.  Available for downloading from this URL:

   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

   PowerMedia is your source for all the latest cutting edge Newton apps:

     + Super NotePad: Quick access arrows, encryption, tags, filters, etc.

     + DateMan 3.0: Complete agenda and contact management.

     + Stationary Construction Kit: Build your very own custom stationary.

   Commercially available at your favorite Newton retailer.  Or check out

   online demos via the following site: <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Top Print Sources Of Interest

-----------------------------



[EDITOR: This is a collection of articles of potential interest to

NewtNews readers from the leading technology print newspapers,

newsletters, and magazines.]



** MP2K IS TOP INTERNET HANDHELD **



Ronald Steyer <Ronald.Steyer@Uni-Mainz.DE> notes the German magazine

"Internet Professional" published in Sep97 looks at what it takes to be

Internet savvy using: Psion, PalmPilot, Casio HPC, Nokia 900, and Newton

MP2K.  The latter -- the MP2K -- was awarded an Editor's "unreserved

recommendation" as the best possible connection device.  The runner up

was the Nokia 9000.



** SEAMLESS WIRELESS NEWTON IN BENETT'S DREAMS **



Cynthia Bournellis examines "Free Of Apple, Newton Plots Its Future" in

the 25Aug97 edition of Electronic News.  The article notes a 'vision' of

Newton, Inc.'s COO Sandy Benett of a future 'convertible' MessagePad that

includes a retractable cell phone similar in size to the Motorola StarTac

running Newton technology.



** NEWTON SCORES WELL IN REVIEW FOR SELF EMPLOYED PROFESSIONALS **



Michael Koldner has a 'huge' one page review of the MessagePad 2000 on

page 62 of Self Employed Professional published Sep/Oct'97.  The article

is entitled "Newton MessagePad 2000:  Good things (other than chocolate)

come in small packages.  The unit gets a ton of great things said about

it, and is award 5 starts our of 5 stars -- "Overall, the Newton

MessagePad 2000 lives up to its promise to simplify your life and bring

power to the palm of your hand."



** BYTE HANDHELD PRS MAKE IT TO THE NEWS LISTSERVERS **



As previously mentioned in past issues of NewtNews -- Byte Magazine

published on 01Aug97 has a host of 'handheld' related articled including

a: Lab Report judging best overall hardware and Lab rating results. The

main article is written by Michelle Campanale and is entitled "Hand-Helds

Get Serious: These tiny computers offer robust performance, surprising

functionality, and true portability." The Newton mentions are less than

stellar, and in many ways pretty negative. The focus of the article is

mostly on comparing the many Windows CE devices against each other.



** NEWTON STILL PLAYING MAJOR ROLE IN TRAVEL ARTICLE **



NewtNews readers Christian Dreyer <cdreyer@magnet.ch> and Kee Hinckley

<azgul@utopia.usweb.com> both note that the Wall Street Journal has a

Newton mention in an article written by Joan Indiana Rigdon entitled "A

Lesson in Dodging Runaway Bales of Hay".  The writer of this 'travel'

journal article is using the MP2K to type and turn in articles. Some of

the comments about Newton travel woes are pretty important.  For more

info check out: <http://engaged.well.com/nEngaged/mPane.cgi?c=WSJ7&t=161>

or <http://interactive.wsj.com/edition/resources/documents/gv.htm>.



** NEWTON ON POINTCAST **



Several NewtNews readers including Michael Eisenman

<MEisenman@symantec.com> noted a Newton mention in "Technology Gives

Vacations a Modern Edge" posted to PointCast <http://www.pointcast.com>

in the CNN Interactive & Sci-Tech section.  Others like, Steve Sande

<ssande@msp.psco.com> also noted that Newton, Inc. has also been

purchasing 'ad space' on PointCast running their 'Replace Your Laptop'

ads.



** SOME OTHER WEB SITES WITH NEWTON MENTIONS **



    - Olaf Coenen <coenen@informatik.uni-koeln.de>

      notes that MSNBC has a 'positive' Newton review

      at: <http://www.msnbc.com/news/104587.asp>.

    - The Sunday (24Aug97) color comic strip "The

      Norm" <http://www.thenorm.com> has a 'MP100

      Newton' like mention.



** HELPFUL MAJOR WEEKLY MAGAZINE WEB POINTERS **



    - Web Week: <http://www.webweek.com>

    - MacWeek: <http://www.macweek.com>

    - InfoWorld: <http://www.infoworld.com>

    - Computer Reseller News: <http://www.crn.com>

    - PC Week: <http://www.pcweek.com>

    - Network World: <http://www.nwfusion.com>

    - LAN Times: <http://www.lantimes.com>

    - Information Week: <http://www.informationweek.com>

    - Network Computing: <http://www.networkcomputing.com>





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

             A N N O U N C I N G   L E X I D R U G S - 97          +-------+

  K2 Consultants, Inc. has just announced the latest version of    | A R T |

  Drug Information Handbook with 5000 drugs and improved interface.+-------+

  Check out www.skyscape.com/k2 for all medical and non-medical    |  b y  |

  titles such as 5 Min. Clin Consult, Ferri's book for internists  |  K 2  |

  Archimedes Intelligent Calculator, Current Clinical Strategies   +-------+

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  Tim Constantine has several cutting edge Newton solutions: Flash - A

  Speed Reading Tutor; CrazyDice - Multi-player Strategy Game, and Clean

  Notes - Stationary w/o Lines.  For more info: <timconstan@kagi.com> or

  <http://www.kagi.com/timconstan>.  Tim is also available for custom

  Newton application development.  Send Tim email if you have a question

  about custom application development or about his cutting edge solutions.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





NewtNews Tips and Tricks You Can Use On Your Newton

---------------------------------------------------



** NO NONSENSE NUGGETS OF NEWTON KNOW HOW **



Compiled by Roger Coleman <roger@rogercoleman.demon.co.uk>



If you have similar tidbits for this column, please drop me a line!

<newton@rogercoleman.demon.co.uk>. Please include details of the Newton

model and OS that you are using.



** STORE SECRET NOTES IN OWNER INFO **



>From Lee Golden <WLeeGolden@aol.com>:



    Newton 2.0 Only.



    I store a lot of confidential text items in the

    Notes portion of my Owner card. Things such as my

    registration numbers for all my software; some

    credit card numbers; passwords, etc. [I also wrote

    the word "secret" at the bottom of the list of

    Notes. You'll see why in a minute.]



    Because I keep this confidential info there, I use

    the PIN number for access to the Owner Info [check

    the 'use system password' box in Owner Info

    Prefs]. When I need information out of the Notes,

    I simply tap Assist, tap the pick list and click

    on Find secret. Assist opens the Find slip, with

    the word secret in it. Click Find and the PIN

    entry pad opens. Voila! Instant access to my

    "secret" Notes. Try it the old way, by clicking

    Extras, clicking Owner Info, entering your PIN,

    clicking your Owner Card, clicking the scroll bar,

    then clicking Notes, and you'll see why my way is

    much faster. You also begin to experience the true

    effect of Assist.



** EASY FOLLOW-UP MEETINGS IN DATES **



>From Richard Maguire Braine <brainer@rmbphoto.netkonect.co.uk>:



    Newton 2.0 Only.



    [NewtNews-148-12Aug97 & NewtNews-149-19Aug97

    reported] -- "Russell Sheinkopf

    <russells@pacificrim.net> would like a utility

    that would 'elegantly' allow for follow-up

    appointment scheduling.  Russell would like a way

    to make a copy of an appointment icon.  Then,

    after placing the icon copy in the clipboard, you

    would simply find any available appointment time

    and drag the icon to its new location. Slick."



    This function is effectively built into Dates:

    simply drag the meeting or event to the side of

    the screen and go to the date for the new meeting.

    Drag the clipboard item to the time of day at

    which the new meeting is to be set. To maintain

    the original meeting in your Dates you can double

    tap the clipboard item and drag it back to the

    original time BEFORE going to the new date, thus

    leaving the meeting in the clipboard for the

    creation of further meetings.



** TIPS WANTED **



Please send me any tips, hints, goodies, jokes, interesting facts or

similar bits of information for future issues of this column to me

<roger@rogercoleman.demon.co.uk>.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions.  Custom stylus

  upgrades for Newton MP130 and MP2000.  Custom styli for WinCE, USR, and

  Sharp PDAs.  Wide selection of Pocket Styli for all tastes and budgets.

  Duo multi-function stylus/pen combo. Beacon L.E.D. lighted stylus. Stylus

  inserts for Cross & other popular pens.  More info: 800.270.7196 or

  516.467.4042, FAX: 516.467.6329, <http://www.PDAPanache.com> (secure)

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  PowerTrans 3.0 - Translator and Vocabulary Trainer - 60,000 Words -

  English, Spanish, German, French and Italian (no storage card required).

   + Customize the vocabulary and/or create new languages, attach notes

   + MP2K and eMate featured - speech, classroom multi-user, keyboards

   + Vocabulary Trainer - based on approved didactical learning system

  Checkout demo: <http://www.travel-cs.com> - contact: <info@travel-cs.com>

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Dear Newton Developer

---------------------



** INTRODUCTION & INCENTIVE **



This area is dedicated to trying to solve NewtNews readers programming

needs, and in turn hopefully lead to the creation of a legitimate Newton

shareware solution for the developer solving the problem.  If a developer

solves such a problem, NewtNews will give them a 50% price reduction for

any advertising service they order for that product in our Products and

Services area.  If you have a utility you need written, please let

NewtNews know by sending an email to: <newtnews@pobox.com>.



** SEVERAL GOOD SUGGESTIONS **



Peter Davson-Galle <P.DavsonGalle@utas.edu.au> is looking for several

solutions:



    - Newton to desktop connection that enables direct

      'document' editing.

    - tool to do footnotes in NewtWorks

    - heap tool that realizes that only a 'soft reset'

      will cure any problems and offer to reset when

      this 'event' occurs.



For specific information send Peter email.



** HEBREW FONTS?!? **



Alan Wiener <ajwiener@mindspring.com> is looking for Hebrew fonts for the

Newton.  Send him email with a pointer if you have one.



** MINI-KEYBOARD COVER?!? **



Mark Ebell <ebell@pilot.msu.edu> thinks that a MP2K cover that is

actually a mini-keyboard that plugs into the 'hidden serial port' slit

would be an outstanding Newton accessory.



** NEWTON TO/FROM PALMPILOT LINK **



Jonathan Cardozo <cardozo@roguewave.com> thinks an enterprising Newton

developer should team with an equally 'awesome' PalmPilot developer and

build a set of utilities that would enable Newton to/from PalmPilot sync

and data exchange.



** PRINTING TO A CITIZEN II PRINTER?!? **



Brent Deverman <deverman@pilot.msu.edu> is looking for a print driver

that would let his MP2K print to a Citizen II Printer.



** KEEP HEAP USAGE TO A MINIMUM **



Jason Kulas <JKULAS@BCBSCT.COM> would like to 'evangelize' to all Newton

developers to keep the use of heap to a minimum.  While functionality,

GUI, algorithms, etc. ... are very important, Jason thinks that

conserving heap should be a #1 priority.  Jason also thinks that

developers should publicly state what their heap usage and requirements

are in any documentation they provide with their product.





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  Need more Newton information?!?  NewtNews suggests you check out:

    + Newton Reference: <http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/>

    + Always Newton Central: <http://newton.theonly.com>

    + NewtUser: <http://www.newtuser.com>

    + NewtWorld: <http://www.fw3.com/newtworld>

    + The Ultimate Newton: <http://shell.rmi.net/~rbruce/>

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  To much info in NewtNews for you?  Does all the Macintosh information

  make you want to puke?  Then maybe you should check out NewtNews-Savvy.

  For $20 you get 40 issues of just lean and mean Newton/PDA/Wireless

  information directly to your inbox of choice.  Send an email message

  with the subject containing 'NewtNews-Savvy' to <newtnews@pobox.com>

  and you'll get a sample issue and an order form.  Thanks for reading!

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Other Handheld Technology News

-------------------------------



[EDITOR: News collected via snail mail, major publications, USENET

newsgroups, email, and the WWW.  For more information about Farcast check

out: <http://www.farcast.com> and for more information about HeadsUp use:

<http://www.individual.com>.]



** PALMPILOT **



Andy Feibus <amf@mindspring.com> has a major Information Week Labs report

called "A Desktop In Your Palm" starting on page 65 of Information Week

published on 25Aug97.  The article looks at all the pluses and minuses

surrounding the PalmPilot. InformationWeek Online v3.0 has a pointer to

more information about an IW Labs report on the PalmPilot handheld

computer.  You can learn more via: <http://techweb.cmp.com/iw/645/45olplm.htm>.



Some other PalmPilot links of potential interest:



    - SoftMagic's HOG v1.0 [a helpdesk application]:

      <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2049>

    - Chronos v0.57:

      <http://www.lon.hookup.net/~aball/>

    - Concept Kitchen's Hipster case:

      <http://www.conceptkitchen.com>

    - Netscape Communicator Conduit:

      <http://www.pilotgear.com>

    - Yeechang Lee's "Reviews of the 3Com PalmPilot":

      <http://www.columbia.edu/~ylee/pilot-reviews.html>

    - PalmPilot Desktop 2.1 Upgrade:

      <http://www.usr.com/palm/custsupp/readme21.html>



** WINDOWS CE **



Philips has reported posted a 'performance accelerator' to their WWW site

stating that it improves speed on the Velo by 15%.



Dan Holoski <dholoski@ix.netcom.com> posted a recent article to the

USENET newsgroup comp.os.ms-windows.ce that might be of potential

interest.  It was entitled "My week with my Velo1," and you should be

able to track it down using: <http://www.hotbot.com>.



There is a rumor on the Internet that NEC has plans to drop the price of

their current Windows CE handhelds to US$199 without a cradle and US$299

with a cradle.



Andre Kvitka <andre_kvitka@infoworld.com> has a 'Product Review' of "HP's

320LX more usable, but size is still an obstacle" on page 110 of

InfoWorld published on 25Aug97.  In the end, Andre writes -- " ... the

320LX is best suited for simple Web browsing and for staying in touch

with the office via fax or email.  Users wishing to be more productive

still need to schlep along a notebook."



Some other Windows CE links of potential interest:



    - mnCE magazine for users of Windows CE:

      <http://www.pmn.co.uk/pmnce/>

    - Edwin M. Black Consulting:

      <http://www.sanctum.com/surfers/edzpage/edzpage4.htm>

    - Philips VELO 1 FAQ: <http://www.kensai.com/velo>

    - WinCE 2.0 news via @Computerworld:

      <http://cwlive.cw.com:8080/home/online9697.nsf/All/970902microsoft>

    - WinCE Infocom interpreter [FrotzCE10.zip]:

      <ftp://ftp.gmd.de/if-archive/infocom/interpreters/frotz/>

    - WinCE On-Line: <http://www.winceonline.com>

    - Visual CE [database and forms builder]:

      <http://www.syware.com>

    - Windows CE IRC Conference logs:

      <http://www.ntplx.net/~smakofs/chatlog.htm>



** PSION **



Michael Caton at PC Week Labs has an indepth review of the Psion Series 5

handheld on page 54 of PC Week published on 25Aug97.  The article is

entitled "Quite a Handful from Psion: Series 5 packs plenty into PDA;

easier to use than CE devices" and includes a picture which among other

things highlights the full size keyboard.



Some Psion links of potential interest:



    - PSIIDB online:

      <http://www.psion.priv.at/psion/psiidb.htm>

    - EDD [Delivery Date Calculator]:

      <http://www.cix.co.uk/~narnia/bsge/psion.htm>

    - PsiTrain 1.07 Released:

      <http://www.boink.demon.co.uk/psion/>

    - Time Code Calculator v1.0:

      <http://www.emer.sgi.ch/tccalc.html>



** OTHER DEVICES **



Franklin <http://www.franklin.com> has a host of new Bookman 'plugin

cards' for their "Bookman Sidekick Palmtop" organizer products.  These

plugins work with different Bookman specific products: dictionary,

thesaurus, encyclopedia, spelling, language translation, Quicken, PIM,

diet, nutrition, cookbook, wine guide, movie reviews, etc ...  Franklin

also has a line of Rolodex savvy PIMs (pricing between US$9.95-49.95.

However, their most interesting new product is REX PC Companion -- Type

II PC Card that can plug into a laptop's PC Card slot and sync to

Sidekick 98, Microsoft Schedule+ & Outlook, Act!, and Lotus Organizer.

The card weights 1.4 ounces and has a built-in screen giving the user

access to: calendar, contacts ('cardfiles'), to-do lists, memos, and

alarms.



There is a Libretto WWW site <http://libretto.basicink.com> that has

details about a listserver that is devoted to everything Libretto.



Precision Guesswork's POCKETWatch [a network monitoring/analysis tool]

for the HP200LX has been posted to the following WWW site:

<http://www.guesswork.com/pocket.html>.



The Phoenix Group has a new handheld called the "Nightingale," and you

can get more information about the unit via: <http://www.ivpgi.com>.



There is suppose to be a new 'Chinese and Japanese' handwriting solution

available with more information supposedly at:

<http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/6697>.  In related news Nigel

Ballard <nigel@joejava.com> has also posted new 'PDA entry methods' in is

'Word' section on: <http://www.joejava.com>.



Douglas <krone@nwu.edu> reports the availability of IBM PC110s via the

following URL: <http://www.dynamism.com/pc110.html>.



Julie Strietelmeier <julies@iquest.net> has announced the creation of a

"The Gadgeteer web pages" via:

<http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/9327>.



Information Week (01Sep97) awarded EOrganizer its "Web Site of the Week"

award on page 10.  This Web based PIM includes email based reminders.

For more information check out: <http://www.eorganizer.com>.



Pentax <http://www.pentax.com> has a new U$700 digital camera called the

EI-C900 that comes with an "LCD docking station" expected to be released

in Oct'97. [Kelly Ryer, MacWeek, 25Aug97, page 9]





$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

  Back-up your Newton to a desktop Mac through your Ethernet Network

  without having to switch to Localtalk. Upload Newton packages and print

  to Appletalk network printers too. Farallon offers four Newton-to-

  Ethernet solutions, including EtherWave, the daisy-chainable technology

  that connects up to 7 devices to one Ethernet port. For more info visit:

  <http://www.farallon.com/markets/solutions/newtsolutions.html>.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$



$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

   This space for rent.  For more info: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Thanks.

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$





Other Tidbits of Information

----------------------------



** WIRELESS & MOBILE **



Tegic Communications <http://www.tegic.com> has recently announced a new

text input technology they are calling "T9" that would be ideal of

deployment on future cellular phones, handhelds, and two-way pagers.  The

first major player in the mobile comms market to license 'T9' has been

announced as Samsung.



Associated Press on 05Sep97 reported that Motorola is working on a new

cellular phone that is Internet ready.  The 'phone' will be equiped with

a external viewfinder called a "CyberDisplay" that will able to display a

"a full page of e-mail or a full Web page."



Some Wireless & Mobile articles of potential interest:



    - "Ardis Launches Two-Way Pagers" by John Spooner,

       PC Week, 01Sep97, page 51 [Includes a picture of

       Research In Motion's US$500 Inter@ctive Messenger]

    - "New Book Nails Wireless Network Technology" by

       Sara Humphry, PC Week, 01Sep97, page 122 [ISBN#

       0-13-839051-7]

    - "Clueless About Wireless" by R.J.T., Information

       Week, 01Sep97, page 12

    - "Vendors air combination Web browser and phone:

       Alcatel, Nortel, and Samsung ready $500 Webphone,

       an alternative to desktop PCs" by Ellen Messmer,

       Network World, 01Sep97, page 10

    - "Much ado about 802.11: The long awaited

       standard for wireless LANs may be nothing to shout

       about after all" by Michelle Rae McLean, LAN

       Times, 18Aug97, page 59



** LAPTOPS **



Power Computing <http://www.powercc.com> is suppose to launch in the near

future their new line of Intel based laptops and desktop systems.



Andre Kvitka <andre_kvitka@infoworld.com>  has a 'Product Review' of the

"Libretto 50CT good for executives on the go" on page 112.  PROS:

"Beautiful screen; full set of standard features; compact, light design."

CONS: "Keyboard too small for touch typing; mouse buttons awkwardly

positioned; expensive."



Gael Core <gcores@aol.com> has an article entitled "Lightening the laptop

support load: Managers wonder how to connect handheld computers" on page

45 of LAN Times published on 18Aug97.  There are no Newton mentions but

the article sites a study by International Data Corporation that labels

handhelds into three groups: 'PC Companions' -- clamshell designs with

keyboards price between US$400-800; 'personal companions' pen-based open

faced devices priced between US$250-$400; and PDAs priced at US$600 and

up (the MessagePad falls in this category).   The article also devotes a

lot of space to the premise that the current 'rapid growth' in the

handheld market is because of Windows CE.



Some Laptop articles of potential interest:



     - "Nimantics rolls out 2.65-lbs. subnotebook," PC

       Week, 'News Digest,' 25Aug97, page 48

    - "Puma Eases the Pain of Too Many PIMs: But so

       far, IntelliSync software is limited to

       synchronizing Organizer 97, Outlook 97 data" by

       Michael Caton, PC Week, 25Aug97, page 54

    - "Notebook CPU: Intel Power Play" by Lisa Digarlo

       & John Spooner, PC Week, 01Sep97, page 1



** APPLE & MACINTOSH **



CakeWalk <http://www.cakewalk.com> has announced a version 3.5 of their

cross-platfrom 'music software' solution called Metro v3.5 (Professional

MIDI Sequencing).  The software is designed to work "in tandem" with

Macromedia's DECK II software.



Claris <http://www.claris.com> has announced new versions of FileMaker

Pro (FMP) and Claris Home Page (CHP).  The software is expected to ship

in early Oct97.  The version numbers will v4.0 and v3.0 respectively.



St. Clair Software <http://www.stclairsw.com> has released version 2.7.6

of Default Folder -- a system extension that adds functionality to the

standard file dialog.



Farallon Communications <http://www.farallon.com/> is now shipping their

Netopia routers for Fractional T1 and T1 connections using Frame Relay,

PPP or Cisco-HDLC encapsulation.



Glenn Howes <grhowes@xnet.com> is now shipping his MRJ 1.5 savvy version

of InCDius 1.0 beta 4 -- an excellent CD management utility.  You can

check it out at: <http://www.xnet.com/~grhowes/>.



NeoLogic Systems <http://www.neologic.com> is now shipping NeoAccess 5.1

-- a "cross-platform object database management system (ODBMS) now

includes a distributed object model which facilitates the construction of

single user systems that draw data from multiple databases."



Terry Morse Software <http://www.terrymorse.com/> is now shipping

version 2.0b7 of Myrmidon -- a Web authoring tool for the Mac OS.



ASCENT SOLUTIONS' PKZIP for Macintosh <http://www.asizip.com> is now

shipping.  This new shareware solution will compress and decompress

ZIP files.



** INTERNET/OTHER **



International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that in 1996 there were over

32 million new email users world wide.  What email software did they use

when they started? -- 26% IBM/Lotus, 17% Netscape, 14% Microsoft, 9%

QUALCOMM, 4% Software.com, 3% HP, and 20% Others. [Information Week,

25Aug97, page 14]



Forbes published on 08Sep97 has a great article devoted to

'cypher-libertarians' starting on page 172 and devotes the cover to this

issue with a digital picture of Sameer Parekh (C2Net) with a bold yellow

title of "This guy wants to overthrow the government."  The actual

article is written by Josh McHugh and is under the banner of 'Technology:

Cryptography.'



Nicholas Petreley <nicholas_petreley@infoworld.com> has some nice things

to say about his experiences using a Navio Enhanced TV device in his

column "Down To The Wire" published in InfoWorld (01Sep97) on page 108.



** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A POTENTIAL BROWSE **



    - Home PC's "Search Party: 25 Tips to Help You

      Track Down Anything on the Web"

      <http://www.homepc.com>

    - VEMail: <http://www.imagemind.com>

    - Adaptec's EZ CD-Creator Pro:

      <http://www.adaptec.com>

    - SoundForge XP: <http://www.sonicfoundry.com>

    - Star Trek for Windows 95:

      <http://www.siue.edu/~amartig/startrek.html>





Advertising Notes

-----------------



If you are interested in advertising in NewtNews please send email to:

<newtnews@pobox.com>.  NewtNews is freeware because of the advertisers

that support this effort, and we appreciate their support.



When you purchase products from NewtNews vendors please mention that you

heard about their product in NewtNews.





Product and Service Information

-------------------------------



* CATAMOUNT SOFTWARE offers the following:

   - POCKETMONEY assists you in balancing your checking, savings,

       credit card and loan accounts. Export and import transactions

       to Quicken, MYM and other desktop based program.

   - NAMIGATOR gives rapid access to Names. I know, I have over 5000.

   - MPG helps you keep your vehicle records in order. Track fuel

       economy, record mileage for tax purposes, schedule repeating

       vehicle maintenance items for multiple vehicles.

   - MORGAN is the Newton Media ORGANizer. Track CDs, tapes, records

       books, laserdiscs, videos, and more...

For more information call 802-372-9512, email <products@catamount.com>, or

visit our web site <http://www.catamount.com>.



* MAR SOFTWARE offers the following fine products:

   + NEW EXECUTIVE NEWTON STAND Rated a Must Buy by Newton Info

     Magazine. This is an exquisitely crafted stand of contemporary

     design for your Newton. Made of hardwood and anodized aluminum.

     Supports portrait or landscape mode. Clear beech or mahogany

     finish. $49.95+S&H.

   + NEW BILLS TO PAY PRO 3.5.6 Rated 5 out of 5 by Gecko Magazine!

     Easily track bills & expenses; create budgets & set alarm reminders.

     Also works with Pocket Quicken or PocketMoney. $39.95+S&H

MAR Software: <info@marsoftware.com> or <http://www.marsoftware.com>.



* GET AMIGO NOW! Did you know you can order AMIGO the premier 8000+ word

English/Spanish Dictionary Reference Tool and Translation program for the

Newton over the World Wide Web at: <http://www.1stopsoft.com>?  AMIGO is

available for US$24.95 and it comes with a full year of upgrades. For

more information contact ACCSYS by email at: <rkaplan@well.com>



* GPS MAP and GPS MAP LITE -- GPS based navigation with real moving maps,

showing all details as familiar from paper based maps.  Features -- map

calculator, route planning, database, history track, and mission

recorder.  Import your own maps from your Mac or PC at any scale.

Connects to most GPS receiver's offering a NMEA183 interface.  For more

info/demo: <http://www.soaring.de/gps/GPS_Map.html> or <gerds@micronet.de>.



* Newt Development Environment: develop object-oriented applications in

NewtonScript on the Newton (shareware: $49.50; tools, examples, support).

* Newt's Cape: create Newton books with text, graphics, tables, links,

and forms from HTML (via web browsing or Notepad) (shareware: $38.50;

tools, examples, support). For details, software, and registration info:

<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/releases.html> or <weyer@netaxs.com>



* SOLUTIONS FROM LANDWARE. All work in the Newton 2.0 OS.

  - PROCALC EX: Programmable calc. w/ SAN & RPN, includes: proCALC 12c.

  - QUICKNAMES PRO: Rapid access to names and much more.

  - X-PORT: The 2.0 connection utility. Send/receive notes, contacts...

  - KWIKMENU: the Newton dashboard, includes GestureLaunch Lite.

  - NEWTPAINT: "MacPaint" on your Newton, w/zoom-in and screen shot.

  - SYNC+: Dates to Schedule+ 1.0 or 7.0

LandWare, 201-347-0031, <sales@landware.com>, <http://www.landware.com>



* Frustrated by the amount of time required to input long notes?  Looking

for a faster method?  GESTURE MOSAIC is a hybrid keyboard/recognition

system which enables the rapid (30-40+wpm) pen-based entry of text.  Now

updated for OS2.0, you can use it to quickly input text anywhere in your

Newton. FREEWARE versions are available at: <http://www.amtelcom.com/Mosaic>

For more information contact: <amtelmit@aol.com> or call: 800-696-6724.



* ChessPad 2.0 turns the Newton into a digital chess book and a portable

chess set. It contains 28 fully-annotated games played by the greatest

players of all time, 100 brilliant winning combinations by Morphy, Tal,

Fischer, and Kasparov, and 100 chess problems.  ChessPad can also import

games in Portable Game Notation format. Only $39.95. Clear Lake Research

713.663.7513 <DavidL62@aol.com> <http://members.aol.com/clrsch/chesspad.html>



* THE HANDHELD COMPUTER ALMANAC -- The definitive guide to handheld

products and services, from organizers to ruggedized systems. 150 pages,

600 companies, 1300 products and services in 50+ categories, with more

than 300 Newton products. Only $24.95 + S&H from Creative Digital

Publishing Inc. 30-day money-back guarantee. email: <hhca@cdpubs.com>,

URL: <http://www.cdpubs.com>, voice: 415.621.4252, fax: 415.621.4922



* NEW SCOREPAD 3.0.1 -- Golf scorekeeping package for Newton 2.0. Easily

keeps scores and statistics - analyze and graph the results. Figure your

unofficial handicap. Automatically calculates nassaus and skins. Keep

notes about each round and course.  Available for US$50 from Software

Unboxed <http://www.unboxed.com> or directly from Sun Sabre (513.459.9330)

with 10% by mentioning NewtNews. <http:members.aol.com/sunsabre/ScorePad.html>



* MoreInfo 4.1 - This integrated contact manager seamlessly integrates

the built-in Names, Dates, Calls and Notes applications.  This latest

version adds even more useful features to this already essential product.

MP2K savvy. Voted Best Newton Software for 1997 - mobilis Magazine

Reader's Choice Award. From SilverWARE at $69.95+S&H.  For demos check

out: <http://www.silverware.com> - <info@silverware.com> - 508.521.5262



* STAND ALONE offers a variety of Newton applications for Newton 2.0:

   - PACKAGE POPUP: instant access to all your packages, launch

      with a tap, automatically thaw and re-freeze. $15.

   - SECURE-A-NEWT: Password protect folders in your NotePad, Names,

      and Extras Drawer. Protect your info from prying eyes. $20.

   - KEYMAN: Adds function keys, a multi-function calculator, and a

      new keyboard designed for one-fingered typing. $20.

   - NOTEMAN: Instant access to the NotePad from any package. $10.

   - BACKGAMMON: The classic board game, brought to Newton. $20.

   - SUPER SORTER: Fast, Usable list management, featuring fully

      expandable and customizable list creation and editing. $20

For information about any of these or other Stand Alone products,

contact us at: <info@standalone.com>, or (312) 262-5150. Also check

out our Web site at: <http://www.standalone.com/newton>.



* NEW! 9th Volume of the Totally Incomplete PDA CD-ROM for Newton! This

CD-ROM from AMUG CD, Inc. contains over 1450 packages, 618 megs, and a

Newt 2000 only area. Works on Mac or PC. 2.x & 1.x Packages can be

downloaded directly from the CD to your MessagePad. Maximize your

Newton experience! ONLY $29 + S/H. Call AMUG 602.497-2244, or email

<sales@amug.org> to order! AMUG CD web page at <http://cdrom.amug.org/>.



* BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY PACKAGES FROM PELICANWARE

   All packages for Newton 2.0 or better OS - Upgrades also available.

 - QUICKFIGURE PRO 3.1: Spreadsheet application  $59.95

 - NEWTCASE 3.0: The Ultimate Utility Suite (for 2.0 OS only)  $49.95

 - NOTION 1.5: High Performance List Manager  $59.95

 - AVAILWORKS 3.0: Text, spreadsheets, drawing, and graphing $79.95.

All from PELICANWARE.  For more details email: <info@pelicanware.com>,

vox: 503-221-1148, fax: 503-221-8709, or <http://www.pelicanware.com>.



* HEXDUMP INTRODUCES -- HexPaint for 2.1 OS 16 gray scale paint

application.  Filters include invert, rotate and flip. Icon editor allows

custom icons. Plug-in architecture along with the free Plug-In SDK allows

for custom tools. HexPaint includes the Paint Transfer application for

Mac conductivity. US$38.95+S&H. Demo available at <http://hexdump.com>.

HexDump backs all its software with a 30 day money back guarantee.



* TeleType GPS - New v2.0 - now includes U.S. Interstate Highways data

overlay. GPS software provides plot of your position on moving maps while

you drive or fly. Overlay packages include cities and towns, Interstates,

and special Aviation overlay for pilots. Bundles include GPS receiver and

software.  Never get lost again.  Email: <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com> or

WWW to: <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> for more information.





Edupage, 01Sep97 thru 07Sep97

-----------------------------



** "DEEP BLUE" GETS DEEPER **



The IBM RS/6000 SP computer "Deep Blue" -- widely known for its chess

victory over world chess champion Garry Kasparov -- has received hardware

and software enhancements expected to make that product line 58% faster.

Much of the speed increase is due to the latest version of IBM's 604e

Power PC microprocessor.  (New York Times 1 Sep 97)



** PC FIXX SEEKS TO FRANCHISE PC REPAIR **



A small Seattle firm called PC Fixx is hoping to franchise the computer

repair business, offering Nordstrom-style service with McDonald's-style

convenience.  The company, which is currently seeking investors, plans to

acquire computer repair businesses around the country and convert them to

PC Fixx franchises.  Using a network of repair depots and service vans

linked to a telecommunications center, PC Fixx could offer repairs in a

matter of hours rather than days.  A study by Dataquest estimates that

the U.S. PC repair market will grow at 21% a year to nearly $1.9 billion

in 2001. (Tampa Tribune 1 Sep 97)



** NEXT GENERATION OF SOFTWARE WILL BE NONPROPRIETARY, SAYS ELLISON **



Oracle CEO Larry Ellison says the age of domination by one software

company's technical standards is over:  "The next generation of software

will not, cannot, be based on proprietary technology that belongs to one

company.  We're living in the dawn of the information age, not the dawn

of the Microsoft Age or the dawn of the Age of Redmond.  The next

generation of computing, network computing, will not be dominated by any

one company or any one person.  The age in which we live can't be

controlled by a single human being.  Nation-states resent it, individuals

resent it."  (Upside Sep 97)



** IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY MAY COME ... BUT THEY WON'T PAY **



A recent study by Forrester Research says the future of the Web

definitely does not lie in the subscription-based model.  Even online

gaming, which was touted as the exception to the rule, has fallen far

short of expectations, and a Forrester analyst says the findings are

"another nail in the coffin for subscription services."  The study

estimates the number of paying subscribers to Internet gaming services,

such as the Total Entertainment Network, at around 600,000.  That number

is expected to double by 2001, a growth rate too slow to sustain the

industry.  "We've watched their membership lists for six to eight months,

and we see them growing by hundreds, not by the thousands they need to

make this a viable business." Forrester predicts that gaming sites, like

everyone else, increasingly will rely on advertising rather than

membership fees for their revenue stream, reaching an 80/20 ratio by

2001.  (CIO 1 Sep 97)



** CYBER THREATS OF CONCERN TO PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION **



The President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection says

that federal spending on research and development of defenses against

"physical and cyber threats" needs to be "jump-started" by raising those

expenditures (currently at $250 million a year) to $500 million in 1999

and $100 million each succeeding year until they reach $1 billion in

2004. (Washington Post 6 Sep 97)



** MICROSOFT'S SIMONYI ON JAVA -- "IT'S THE MONKEES ALL OVER AGAIN" **



Microsoft applications creator Charles Simonyi says Sun Microsystems'

Java language falls in the same category as Lisp, Smalltalk, Ada and all

the other "revolutionary" languages that claim to boost programmer

productivity: "It's the Monkees.  They had a few hits and then

disappeared.  Java will be the same.  It will be totally forgotten.

Microsoft is the Beatles." Simonyi says Sun's claims to have solved the

problem of programming component software are suspect:  "These problems

have not even been solved at Microsoft, in one company.  How could anyone

solve it across the Net?" (Forbes ASAP 25 Aug 97)





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INNOVATION, 11Aug97

-------------------



** TRENDS: WHERE WILL THE JOBS (REALLY) BE IN THE 21ST CENTURY? **



MIT economics professor Paul Krugman doesn't believe all those

predictions by pundits who say that the jobs of the future will be in

high technology areas.  "Historically, the opposite has happened:  job

growth tends to be greatest in the areas that new technology affects the

least."  Krugman points out that in the Labor Department's list of

occupations with the largest job growth, the top five categories are

cashiers, janitors and cleaners, salespeople, waiters and waitresses, and

nurses -- i.e., jobs having face-to-face contact with the consumer or

"dealing in a hands-on way with the unpredictable messiness of the

physical world."  So the typical worker of the 21st century "will be

doing precisely the kinds of thing that you can't do over the Internet."

(Paul Krugman, "What's Ahead For Working Men And Women," New York Times

31 Aug 97)



** STRATEGIES: SOFTWARE DESIGN -- NATURE'S WAY **



Pattie Maes, who heads the Software Agents Group at MIT, believes in

doing "applications-motivated" or "applications-driven" basic research,

and tackles research problems only when there is a real need for tackling

them. But hasn't Artificial Intelligence always been searching for the

most general solution, rather than solutions to specific small problems?

Maes says:  "Often we say that Artificial Intelligence has 'physics

envy.' AI researchers hope they'll find the general principles for x and

y.  For example, many people in AI hoped and still hope that there could

be a generic problem solver and other such very general principles that

would apply across all problem-solving domains."  Rejecting this magic

bullet approach, Maes and her group are approaching artificial

intelligence more in the way a biologist would, rather than a physicist.

"There are a lot of principles, not just five or three.  there are lots

of different mechanisms that are all useful and interacting, just like

what you would find in an organism or an ecosystem.  For example,

research into animal behavior shows us that the behavior of an animal is

the result of many simple components interacting -- a huge bag of tricks,

so to speak -- rather than the result of any generalized complex

reasoning and representation modules." (Interview with Pattie Maes,

"Humanizing The Global Computer," IEEE Internet Computing Jul/Aug 97)



** INNOVATIONS: QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY **



In the unending quest for an uncrackable code, scientists now are turning

to the world of quantum physics.  "The security of quantum cryptography

is based on the laws of nature," says a physicist at Los Alamos National

Laboratory.  "Unless there's something totally wrong with our

understanding of quantum mechanics, then these transmissions should be

utterly secure." The code would be sent through optical fibers in a

series of light pulses called photons.  Researchers like the idea of

quantum cryptography because it's immune to the "brute force" approach

that many crackers take -- using computers that crunch numbers day and

night until they come up with the correct decryption key.  Because the

normal rules that govern matter, motion and time become meaningless in

the quantum world, even the most powerful supercomputer couldn't crack a

quantum code if it crunched till the end of the universe.  And it's

spy-proof as well, because any attempt to intercept the transmission

would disrupt the signal, alerting the communicators to the presence of

an intruder.  (Tampa Tribune 25 Aug 97)  <http://www.tampatrib.com>



** MORE INFO ON INNOVATION **



Innovation is published weekly, with individual subscriptions available

at $15 a year. Topics are organized under the following headers: TRENDS,

STRATEGIES, and INNOVATIONS.  For a six-week free trial subscription to

Innovation, please send an email message to:

<innovation-trial@newsscan.com> and in the subject line type the word:

'subscribe'.  You can also use the trial registration form on their Web

site at: <http://www.newsscan.com>.  For more info, send email to:

<gehl@newsscan.com> or <douglas@newsscan.com>





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This edition of NewtNews was written with the help of: Street Scene 1997,

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